“I can’t wait to be with them.”

You know who you are… right?

Okay, I figured it out:  God needs a mobile phone, email, text messaging, a blog, Twitter, an RSS feed, YouTube and, God forbid (!), a MySpace Account.  Then, and only then, the problems of Christianity would be solved.  (Oh, and a website… )

I mean really, let’s consider this.  If he had all of that, he could communicate.  And we all know that communication is one of the main keys to a great relationship.

From another angle, consider this: Since we, us earth-based lifeforms, have had all of these things, look how much better things are.  Raising kids is so much easier now.  Being married is now a breeze.  Family ties are stronger than ever.  Friendship is on the rise.  Church fellowship is much deeper.   

Thank God for Sprint, AT&T, Nextel, Al Gore, WordPress, … Google, MSN, Yahoo, … The innovations in communications are a savior.

So, God should jump on the bandwagon and get a BlackBerry.

Or…

If you only had thirty days to live, what would you do?

2 Timothy 1:5-7 
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.  For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (NASB).

Timothy’s sincere faith was a gift from God.  His “special ability” was a gift also.  Two gifts, both which should be unwrapped and used… boldly.

Matt, like Timothy, needed a reminder to fan the fires of faith and service.
I don’t get it how I forget it sometimes.  I forget what days of faith on fire were like.  I forget what moments of doing things for God that He wanted done at the precise time were like.  Huge!  Cool!  Wild!  Delightful peace!  Humbling!  Real!  Stoked!

You?

galaxies, sunsets, spring flowers, a cool breeze, red birds chasing each other, leaves springing forth from trees… yet we forget God is behind them all… Creator.

we forget.

spiritual amnesia.

chronic.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4).

On another blog I read regularly, the question was asked, “What is something you feel you can’t say in church, or around other christians?”  The replies were all over the place, but one caught my attention:

“well. um. i pray SO LITTLE that its probably more accurate to say i don’t pray.”

Ouch.

(To read more, go to FlowerDust.net)

in two short paragraphs, paul keeps saying similar things to timothy.  i think he’s trying to communicate something here… trying to make a point.  read along below and see if you can hear it.

 
Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.  But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.  Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

 Talk can cause trouble.